February 23-27
I was on vacation in Sarasota, Florida, a couple of weeks ago visiting my brother and his family. I’ve been down there a few times now and have happily made the Sarasota YMCA (the Evalyn Sadlier Jones Branch)—which is just a few miles from their neighborhood—my home away from home (away from home). What an amazing fitness facility and what an incredibly talented staff.

It doesn’t matter what time I’ve gone or what class I’ve selected, the place has always been a beehive of activity with a very positive vibe and a strong community feel. There are people of every age (including my 20-month old niece, who gets well taken care of in the child care center while her Mom is doing yoga or cardio or while her Dad is playing racquetball) doing a host of different activities at any given time.

I am especially impressed by the group exercise programming and staff. The array of classes and sheer number of instructors is mind boggling. Wellness director Gillian da Silva and wellness coordinator Jennifer Hawkins do a brilliant job of scheduling and showcasing both the staff and menu of classes. There is a wonderful board of photos and well-written bios for each instructor just outside the main group ex room. I somehow found the instructors who taught my classes to be more approachable because I was able to read about their interests, certifications and fitness specialty areas before I even took their classes. I felt like I already knew them a little bit. Group Ex directors take note—use this subtle method of marketing your instructors to members to create a comfort level among participants.

Over the course of a few days and in addition to use of the cardio facilities and gorgeous 50 meter pool, I attended Slow Sculpt, mat Pilates and Muscle Works. Thank you to the very lively and fun Barbara, Beth and Noshayah for sharing their considerable knowledge and enthusiasm with me and others during these classes.

On a final note, I’ll say that I was incredulous as to how well-ordered the considerable amount of equipment in the main group ex room was. The resistance bands were impeccably hung by color, the dumbbells were racked in the proper slots (which never happens in my gym); the body bars were stood by color like little soldiers in their proper bins…and everyone respectfully put things back exactly where they found them. Maybe when participants find things in order, they take the time to put them back, too? Try it at your facility and let me know if it works!

I’ll be back in Sarasota for another visit soon and will look forward to seeing my newfound friends there again! Thanks for your hospitality.

Comments

Sandy Todd Webster is Editor in Chief of IDEA's publications, including the award-winning IDEA FITNESS JOURNAL and IDEA FOOD & NUTRITION TIPS, the industry's leading resources for fitness, wellness and nutrition professionals worldwide.

Sandy joined IDEA in 2001 as executive editor of IDEA PERSONAL TRAINER and IDEA FITNESS MANAGER magazines and was promoted to lead the editorial team in 2003.

More than 20 years in magazine publishing, marketing communications and creative services have shaped her straightforward approach to multi-channel communication. Early experience in Los Angeles as a sports writer/reporter, and then enriching years as a managing editor in allied health care publishing have pulled her across a spectrum of stimulating subject matter. Fitness, health and nutrition reside at the perfect center of this content continuum, she feels.

A Chicago native, Sandy grew up fully engaged in various competitive sports. Her drive and dedication as an athlete translate to a disciplined work ethic and unwavering approach to challenge in her career. Shortly after graduating journalism school from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, she was recruited to L.A. for her first post in magazine publishing. After two decades of working on magazines--and now in the throes of applying the unbelieveable multi-media content delivery options available in the magazine 2.0 world--she is still "completely in love" with the creative process it takes to deliver meaningful, inspirational content to end users.

She is an accomplished home cook and gardner who would love to combine those skills and passions with her health and fitness background to continue educating readers about a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle.